And john thomson



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. O. O. BARTON & J. THOMSON OOMBINED PISTONAND DIAPHRAGM METER.

No. 313,158. Patented Mar. s,- 1885.

' jgfj Q fiventorsg m M CE I 3 SheetsSheet 2 O. O. BARTON & J. THOMSON,COMBINED PISTON AND DIAPHRAGM METER. No. 313,158.

(No Model.)

PateEgggi Mar. 3, 1885.

N. Pcrcns. Phololjllmgrnplwr. wmm m. n.0,

No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet-3.

G. 0. BARTON 8v J. THOMSON COMBINED PISTON AND DIAPHRAGM, METER. No.313,158. Patented Mar. 3, 1885.

Wi nesses:

C I ventors:

Unrrnn firarns ATENT Orrreat.

CHARLES C. BARTON, OF NEYV YORK, AND JOHN THOMSON, OF BROOKLYN, NY.

COMBENED PISTON AND DIAPHRAGM METER PIUATEON forming part of LettersPatent No. 313,158, dated It'iarch 3, 1885.

Application filed April 26, 1884. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES C. BARTON and JOHN THOMSON, citizens of theUnited States, residing, respectively, in the city,

county, and State of New York,a11d Brooklyn, county of Kings and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFluid-Meters, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to fluid-meters of that class in which thedisplacement is obtained by the combination of a piston and diaphragmand a y'alve system.

The chief objects of this invention are, first, i5 to improvetheoperation and mechanical construction of fluid-measuring instruments,and,

second, to reduce the cost of their manufactn re.

To this end our invention refers particularly to the following features:first, the adaptation of the valve-actuating apparatus, the valve,piston-rod, and register-actuating apparatus to a single separate formor base, which, when entirely completed and assembled, is placed andsecured within the cylinder much as a watch or clock movement is placedwithin its ease; second, in an improved arrangement of thevalveactuating' apparatus; third, in an improved construction of thevalve and 3a the valve-spindle; fourth, in an improved arrangement fortransmitting the sum of the strokes of the piston tothe register; fifth,in an improved register-connection; sixth, in an improved form ofdiaphragm and manner of securing the same to the cylinder and piston,and method of assembling the component parts of the same; seventh, in animproved form and construction of the piston.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an upright cen- 0 tral crosssection of ourimproved meter, exposing the valve-casing and valve-actuating apparatusin front elevation. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the valve-casing andits appurtenances. Fig. 8 is an upright end elevation of the valvecasing as viewed from the righthand side of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is atransverse section through the valve-casing on the line C of Fig. 2.Figs. 5 and 6 are detached views of the valve. Fig. 7 is a detached sideelevation of the diaphragm and clamping-rings. Figs. 8 and 9 aredetached views of the piston and clamping-ring. view of the carriage. V

In the construction of instruments of this class heretofore the practicehas uniformly 5 5 been, so far as possible, to form the valve-casing andevery portion necessary to operate as a part of the main cylinder orcylinders. The objections We have found, in so far as this pre cedenthas been followed, are that it is practically impossible to combine thehighest efficiency, the bestdisposition of parts within the smallestpossible space, with the least quantity of material, and the lowest costto construct the component parts and to assemble the same. The reasonsfor the enumerated objections are, that the work to be done is generallywithin a cylinder inconvenient and difficult of access, or on a cumbrousbonnet, chest, or septum, likewise inconvenient to han- 7o dle. WVeobviate these difiiculties in the following manner:

' The machine-work to be done on the lower cylinder, 1, and the uppercylinder, 2, of the figure, consists of facing or]? the flanges, drill-7 5 ing the bolt-holesS, bearing for stuffing-box 4. and bindingscrews5, and boring thetaper 6. Aside from fitting the ingress and egresspipes, this is the sum of the machine-work 011 the cylinders.

To the taper of the crown of the cylinder is fitted what will be hereintermed the valve' case 7, in which is formed a complete system ofsluices or water-ways connecting with corresponding waterways-inthe'cylinder, and to 85 which every working part of the meter isattached or connected. All of the operations upon thevalvecasing,however, are performed before it is secured within the cylinder, itsattachment thereto being effected as to posi- 0 tion by theregistershai't 8, and as to retention by the screws 5. It will beobserved that these screws also serve to force the two taperingbearing-surfaces (3 of the valve-casing and cylinder together with greatintimacy, thus making a 5 fluid-tight joint between them. The positionFig. 10 is a side and plan of the register-shaft bearing is such that itso locates the valvecasing that the egress-sluice 9, Fig. 2, meets acorresponding cored waterway, and the ingresssluice 10 and. intermedi-10o ate sluice, 11, also meet corresponding waterways in the oppositeside of the cylinder. The

intermediate water-way, 12, (dotted lines, Fig. springs and relieves thebell-crank of the fric- 1,)of the upper cylinder follows down and meetsa corresponding water-way, 13, in the lower cylinder, thus completingthe circuit. The diaphragm 14 is secured between the flanges of thecylinders and to the piston 15, (in a manner to be hereinafterdescribed,) thus forming two compartments within the cylinder-an upper,16, and a lower, 17. The valve is of the compound puppet type, and isbalanced as to hydrostatic and working pressure, by workingpressurebeing meant that due to the friction developed in operating the meter.

The passage of the fluid during the time in which the valve is in theposition shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is as follows: first, from theingress-sluice to and through the inductionport 18, (induction-port 19and eduction-port 20 being closed by the valves 21 22,) to theintermediate sluice, 11, and water-way 12, down to lower compartment,17, thus forcing piston and diaphragm up, as see dotted outline, andexpelling the fluid from upper compartment, 16, which had previouslybeen filled, through the port 19, when the valve was in the positionshown in Fig. 4, into and through .eduction-port 23, to'the egresssluice24, and

nate position. (Indicated by center lines,.Fig.

. 3.) 1n the bell-crank the effect will be to force until the heels ofsaid springs-that is,

over the spring-carriage 29, against the tension of the V toggle-springs30, whose thrust is exerted against the thrust-block 31, to the valves,thus holding the valves to their seats their outer bearings in thespring-carriage .will have been carried beyond their deadthe valve asnow assumed is shown in Fig. 4.,

'when the ingress-current will flow through .the now openinduction-port19 directly into the upper chamber, 16, and the fluid from the lowerchamberwill be forced back through the intermediate waterway of thecylinder to the intermediate sluice of the valve-chamber, through theeduction-port 20 to the egresssluice of the valve-casing, and thenceout.

The use of the bell-crank permits, first, a horizontal position to thevalve, and, second,

.a direct connection with the piston-rod and motor-springs actuating thevalve.

The spring-carriage is attached to the bellcrank by small pivots, as 33,so that said carriage takes the entire direct thrust of the tion-oftheir thrust.-

It will be undestood that the angle subtended by the bell-crank in itsalternate positions is not transmitted to the carriage and springs, asthe pivoted connection permits the carriage to travel back and forth ina vertical line only. In this direct connection of the spring-carriageto the bell-crank there is a slight error of movement, in that the aredescribed by the bell-crank is imparted to the carriage and tends toslightly cramp the springs by alternately raising and lowering theirheels in their horizontal plane.

To eliminate the objection noted the springs are formed as shown inFigs. 1 and 3, their center or V portions, 30, being considerablynarrower than their bearing-surfaces. The effect of this is to make thesprings very elastic horizontally, as well as when compressed uponthemselves. Thus their heels may be lifted and lowered within the limitsrequired without interfering with their proper action, besides whichlong and durable bearing-surfaces are provided for the knife-edgebearings to act upon.

WVhile the carriage might readily be made solid, it is preferably builtup by the yokes 33 and bearing-blocks 34, as in this way the blocks canbe formed in long pieces, with the V -bearings 35 accurately milled, andthen cut to required length, while the yokes are stamped from sheetmetal. The yokes, as will be seen, also prevent the springs fromshifting up or down in their bearings. plates 36 are exact duplicateseach of the other, and are secured to the valvecasing by the screws 38.They form the outer valveseats, and also the bearings in which thevalve-spindle 37 operates. In forming the seats for said face-plates,and also the valve-seats 39 40 of induction and eduction ports, as seeFig: 4, thecasing is cast with the annular ribs 00 a; and chambers, andthe method of finishing is as follows: A milling-tool of the exact shaperequired boxes the eduction and induction ports 18 20, and at the sametime forms a seat for the valve and the face-plate 41 on one side of thevalve-casing. The operation is repeated on the opposite side, the borebeing continued until the opposing surfaces are brought to anypredetermined distance apart. Thus the face-plates and bearings for thevalve are brought exactly central with the ports, and whatever departurethere may be from exact truth in the relative vertical planes of thevalve-seats and face-plates as, say, from the right angle subtended bythe longitudinal center of the valve-stem to the bearing of thebell-crank-it will not materially interfere with the free and properaction of the different parts, besides which the operations are few andsimple. 1

To reduce the fitting and cost of the valves to a minimum, and to adaptthe meter for correct operation in the most severe serviceas themeasurement of water charged with grit The face- IIO and impurities-weform a fiexile built-up valve in the following manner, as see Figs. 4and 5: 7

0n the sleeve 42 two hubs, 43, are formed the required distance apart. Aport-ion of the ends of said sleeve are threaded to receive thebinding-nuts 44, and the sleeve itself is finished to a length as muchless than the distance between the inner surfaces of the hubs 45 of thefaceplates as the full distance of the stroke of the valve. Thevalve-spindle is formed of regular gage wire forced tightly through thesleeve. Each movement of the valve-spindle will thus cause an alternateend of the sleeve to impinge upon one or other of the inner surfaces ofthe hubs 45 of the faceplates. Each portion of the valve is then made upof three plain disks, the first, 46, being of leather, vulcanizedrubber, or any suitable analogous material, the second interposed disk,47, being of thin spring metal, and the third, 48, a duplicate of thefirst. All are then clamped on the sleeve against the hub by the nut, asshown. Phe function of the stops formed by the ends of the sleeve is nowapparcntnamely, to take the full force of the valve-motor springs andjust permit the valve to make proper contact on its seats.

In the event, however, of any error in they construction of the parts,or of a foreign obstruction being caught between the valve and itsseats, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the full force of the motor-springswill be exerted upon the valve to bring it to a seat until finallyarrested in its movement by the stop; hence, in consequence of thegreater power of the valve motor springs and the fiexile and elasticnature of the valve, an approximately accurate contact is effected uponthe valve-seat under conditions that would otherwise render theinstrument very inaccurate in its measurement or totally inoperative.

To effect the registration of the strokes of meters, and thereby measurethe volume of liquid displaced, the usual practice heretofore has beento make direct and continuous connection, whereby each stroke or unit ofdisplacement is transmitted to the register. The objection to this isthat inasmuch as in the smaller sizes of instruments it requires a number of movements to displace a cubic foot, (the unit of measurement inthe United States,) and that as the register is connected by a shaftpassing through a packed bearing, the friction is considerable, andthere is liability'of leakage through the said packed bearing inconsequence of the frequent movements of the shaft. WVe obviate theseobjections by transmitting to the register by means of the register-shaft the result or sum tot-a1 only of the movements required tomake up a cubic foot, or any arbitrary volume, upon the completion ofthe movements required to make the sum of the displacement desired to beindicated. To this end our arrangement is as follOWS: t

On a fixed bearing, 49, of the valve-casing is mounted the register-arm50, carrying a pawl, 51, and a ratchet-wheel, 52, having one or moreprojecting pins, 53, said pins being caused to pass in proper pitch-lineto intermesh with the pin-wheel 54. The said pinwheel is fast to theregister-shaft 8, mounted in another fixed bearing, 55, of thevalve-casing; hence it is apparent that by a proper relation of thenumber of teeth in the ratchet wheel to the piston-strokes required tomeasure any arbitrary unit of volume a single pin, or any one of anumber of pins 53, will be caused to engage atooth of the pin-wheel onlyat the termination of a series of piston-strokes, and that the pin-wheelwill be thus rotated a space equal to the pitch of one of its teeth,

which movement, being transmitted to the register, should indicate afull unit of displacement. In the present instance the adaptation ismade with special reference to differential registers as shown anddescribed in patents of the United States, Nos. 274,674 and 285,322,dated, respectively, March 27 and September 18, 1883, allowed to one ofthe present applicants. In this register each full unit of the dialcorresponds to a single tooth of the dial-carrying wheel. We thereforesimply attach a pinion, as 56, to the upper and outer portion of theregister-shaft, which has a number of leaves corresponding to the numberof teeth in the pin-wheel 54. Thus each movement of the pin-wheel equalto the pitch of its teeth or pins will rotate the pinion through a spaceequal to the pitch of its leaves, and will thus record a complete unitand the register. Supposing, therefore, that the number ofpiston-strokes to a cubic foot of fluid is sixteen, the number of teethin the pin-wheel ten, and a corresponding number of leaves in thepinion, it would therefore require one hundred and sixty pistonmovements (16 X 102160) to turn the registershaft one completerevolution.

To facilitate the attachment of the-pinion to the register-shaft, weslot the end of said shaft, as at 57, to a proper depth, and insert apin, 58, transversely through the pinion, and thereby positively drivethe pinion and keep it in proper position on the shaft to engage thewheels of the register.

In the diaphragm 14, Fig. 7, we have found the best results by firstforming it as a frus tum of a cone, the two determining points in itsdevelopment being the diameter of the flanges or rings of the cylinders,which gives the greater diameter, and the diameter of the piston, whichgives the lesser diameter. The cone is then projected sufficientlybeyond these points to clamp the material to the cylinder and to thepiston. Then, as an inner and outer flange is not thus formed on thematerial of the diaphragm, it must necessarily be crimped in at the apexand stretched out at the base, the advantage of which is that thefieXure of the material at the clampingpoints for each stroke isone-half of what it would be were. flanges forn1edthat is, the flexureat the IIO point 59 for each stroke becomes the means of the two anglessubtended by the full lines and the dotted outline 60 of the diaphragm.This formationalso requires less material and is easier to construct.

v The usual man ner of secn ring the diaphragm to the cylinder is simplyto clamp it between the flanges. We have found this objectionable, inthat .the diaphragm is subjected to great pressure by-the flange-boltstending to crush, cut, and squeeze out the diaphragm, besides bringingit in contact with corrosive metal. We instead thereof attach the baseof the diaphragm to a pairof non-corrosive metal rings, 61 62, the ring62 fitting snugly within the flange 68 of the ring 61. The diaphragm isthen pinched between these rings, and the two rings, as one, are placedin a groove or recess, 64, formed in the flange of the upper cylinder,said groove being of such depth that the rings and diaphragm are clampedsutficiently tight to just insure the diaphragm against withdrawal andto form a water-tight joint. The inner edges, 65, of the rings areslightly rounded, and the rings project within 1 the cylinder; hence thediaphragm rolls withton.

in the fluid, completely free from anydisturbing or. corrosiveinfluence. In somewhatlike manner we secure the apex of the diaphragm tothe piston. In this instance, however, it becomes desirable to make thepiston 15 of the least possible weight and the greatest stiffness in itshorizontal plane to resist buckling or .diaphragmatic action[ To thisend the piston (see Figs. 7, 8, and'9) is formed of light sheet metal,with a rounded outer flange, 66, a raised annulus, 67, within theflange, and between the center bearing for the piston-rod and saidannulus 67 are stamped a number of ribs, all of which are tangent to acommon circle concentric with that of the annulus 67. It will thus beseen that in whatever direction the strain may be applied, as at thelines 68 69, the said tangents will present a cross-sectional resistanceto the strain or strains, with obvious results. The ribs may be curvedinstead of straight. The clamping-ring 70, Fig. 9, is formed with arounded flange, like the piston, and an inner raised annulus, 71, thelatter, however, being turned in an opposite direct-ion to that of theannulus 67 in the pis- The reason for this is that the piston and theclamping ring he one within the other, and are thereby accuratelycentered to each other, when it simply remains to secure the twotogether upon the diaphragm by rivets or screws and nuts, as shown, tocomplete the work.

The mode of setting up or assembling outer clamping-rings and piston isas follows: In Fig. 7 assume the piston in dotted outline to be fixed toajig or form of the exact shape of the inner surfacevof the diaphragm.Then place the diaphragm upon the form. Next place the outer ring overthe diaphragm, the said ring being also secured in a separate form ofthe exact shape of the outer surface of the diaphragm. The piston,diaphragm, and outer ring are then virtually locked together as onepart. It simply remains to drive the inner ring, 62, snugly home to itsposition within the flange of the outer ring, thereby stretching thediaphragm and securing it at its base. Then secure the clamping-ring 71to the piston, as set forth, when the work is completed and the formsmay be withdrawn. This mode also insures uniformity of volume inmanufacturing without after adjustment.

It will be observed that, in facing off the flange ofthe upper cylinder,a downwardlyprojecting collar is formed at its outer circumference, andthat the flange of the lower cylinder is turned to fit this collar. Theobject of this construction is twofo1dfirst, to 1 center the twocylinders one upon the other, and, second, to prevent the packing frombeing blown out from between the two surfaces of the flanges.Constructed in this manner, the packing may be of any fibrous or plasticmaterial suitable, and which obviously will be insured against ejectionoutwardly without being pinched excessively by the flange-bolts.- Ofcourse the same results would be obtained by forming the collar on thelower cylinder.

Although we have illustrated the outer meter-casing as consisting of twoconnected cylinders, the same may be of any suitable construction, andthe valve-casing supporting all the operating parts, whatever maybetheir character, may be secured detachably within the outer casing inany suitable manner.

It will be obvious that the valves and casing may be differentlyconstructed without departing from the principle of our inventionrelating to the support of all the working parts by the detachablevalve-casing, and that dif- ICO ferent arrangements of channels maybemade .gress and egress openings for the passage of the fluid, of adetachable valve-casing having sluices open at their ends, and adaptedto fit into said compartment and connect with said ingress and egressopenings directly, the opcrating apparatus of the meter being secured toand detachable with said casing, substantially'as described.

2. The combination, with the upper compartment or casing of afluid-meter having side ingress and egress openings for the passage ofthe fluid, of a detachable valve-casing having sluices open at theirends and a valve or valves operating therein, said "casing havingsecured or connected therewith the operating parts of the meter, andadapted to fit rior and exterior ports and valves adapted to holding thecasing upon said bearing, substaninto said compartment and connectedwith the side channels, as and for the purpose set forth. 3. Adetachable valve-easing having intebe placed in one of the cylinders orcompartments of a fluid-meter, said valve-casing having secured orconnected with it the operating parts of the meter, and being providedwith a system of sluices open at the opposite ends of the casing,arranged to connect directly with a corresponding system of water-ways,substantially as described.

4:. A detachable valve-casing, upon which is secured or connected theoperating mechanism of the meter, adapted to a tapered bearing withinthe cylinder, and clamping devices tiallyas set forth.

5. The combination, with the outer casing of a fluid-meter,havingchannels and ports and a diaphragm, of a detachable valve-casingprovided with channels and ports, and an interior valve constructed todirect the fluid from the inlet alternately to opposite sides of thediaphragm and from opposite sides of the diaphragm alternately to theoutlet, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the detachable valve-casing, of the valve, theface-plates forming bearings for said valve, the spring-carriage andsprings mounted thereon, the bellcrank, the piston-rod, and means foroperating the same, substantially as specified.

'7. The combination, with the detachable valve-casing, of theregister-shaft, the ratchet, a system of gearing connecting the saidshaft and ratchet, the register-arm carrying a pawl, the piston-rod, andmeans for Operating the same, all of said elements being mounted uponthe said valve-casing within the cylinder, sub stantially as specified.

8. The combination, in operative position and connection, of thebell-crank, the springcarriage, and toggle-acting V-springs, saidcarriage and bell-crank directly and pivotally connected, for thepurpose set forth.

9. The combination, with the valve, the thrust-block and carriage, andmeans for operating the latter, of the toggle-acting double spring,formed in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and described.

10. In a fluid-meter, the built-up springcarriage consisting of a pairof bearing-blocks united by a pair of yokes, substantially as specifiedand shown.

11. In a fluid-meter, the combination, with the stops and spring-motorapparatus, of a built-up puppet-valve constructedof disks of pliantpacking material and an interposed flexile disk of spring metal, wherebythe said valve is relieved from excessive impact upon the valve-seat.

12. In a fluid-meter, the combination, with a spring'motor apparatus, ofa built-up valvespindle consisting of a sleeve the ends of which formstops, a pivotal portion consisting of awire forced through the sleeve,and clamping-nuts adapted to be screwed upon the sleeve to secure thevalve, substantially as shown and set forth.

13. The combination, with a meter, of a. registering mechanism having apacked shaft extending through the outer casing, and connections,substantially as described, between the shaft and measuring appliances,whereby said shaft is normally stationary, and is moved but once to anumber of movements of the measuring appliances, substantially asdescribed.

14. In a fluid-meter, the combination. with the displacing means, as thepiston and diaphragm, of a system of direct-acting gearwheels, theconstruction and arrangement being such that a multiple of displacementsis registered as one unit upon the register by a single movement of theregister-shaft, which is normally stationary, substantially asspecified.

15. In a fluid-meter, a pliant frustum-ofcone-shaped diaphragmconnecting the piston and cylinders, to the smaller end of which isattached the piston, and to the larger end of which are attached theseparate clampingrings of non-corrosive metal, substantially as shownand described.

16. The combination, with the upper cylinder of a fluid-meter, having agrooved bearing or recess, of the diaphragm and two separatenon-corrosive rings, between which the diaphragm is clamped, and thewhole, as one, contained within the grooved bearing or recess in theupper cylinder, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination, with the smaller rim of the diaphragm, of thepiston and an annulus riveted or screwed thereto, said piston andannulus having grooves which act to cen- IOO ter the one upon the other,substantially as CHARLES C. BARTON. JOHN THOMSON.

W'itnesses:

LYMAN H. EssEX, WM. TrroMsoN.

